[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Dickinson as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform Construction Code — See Ch. 86.
Nuisances — See Ch. 130.
Stormwater management — See Ch. 170.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 178.
[Adopted 4-1-2002 by Ord. No. 2-2002]
A. 
Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Dickinson Township Sewage Facilities Management Ordinance.”
B. 
Authority. This article is intended to establish a management program as ordered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on January 28, 2002; to authorize the Board of Supervisors of Dickinson Township to regulate, inspect, and assure the proper design, installation, operation, and maintenance of all existing and future sewage facilities and/or alternative systems; and to set forth charges and fees for such services, pursuant to statutory authority of the Dickinson Township Board of Supervisors.
C. 
Intent.
(1) 
The Board of Supervisors recognizes that on-lot sewage disposal systems constitute a valid and approved manner of preserving the quality of the water and other natural resources of the Township through the proper treatment of wastes generated by development within the Township. The use of on-lot sewage systems will be regulated in accordance with the provisions of this article until such time as the Board of Supervisors has obtained approval of a revision to its Act 537 Plan and has adopted an ordinance amending or repealing this article. In addition, the Township has determined that should an on-lot system fail, the water quality and other natural resources of the Township may be polluted.
(2) 
All landowners of lots hereafter created should provide and set aside areas for the installation of replacement on-lot sewage disposal systems. As further implementation of this policy for lots on which on-lot disposal systems are not feasible, the Township desires to establish procedures for the use and maintenance of privately owned and operated sewage treatment facilities.
A. 
General terms. In the interpretation of this article, the singular shall include the plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
B. 
Specific terms. For the purposes of this article, the terms used shall be construed to have the following meanings:
ACT
The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. (1965) 1535, No. 537, as amended, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq., as amended.
ALTERNATE SYSTEM
A method of demonstrated on-lot sewage treatment and disposal not described in Title 25, Chapter 73, of the Pennsylvania Administrative Code, as amended.
AUTHORIZED AGENT
A licensed sewage enforcement officer, qualified registered professional engineer, the Township Engineer, qualified registered professional geologist, or qualified soils scientist, who is authorized by the Board, by resolution, to administer or enforce the provisions of this article.
BOARD
The Board of Supervisors of Dickinson Township.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any successor agency.
DEVELOPER
Any person who constructs, or contracts to construct, any building or other structure which is serviced, or intended to be serviced, by sewage facilities, or which is required to be connected to sewage facilities.
EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNIT (EDU)
For the purpose of determining the number of lots in a subdivision or land development only as it relates to the determination of planning exemptions and fees for planning module reviews under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Administrative Code, that part of a multiple-family dwelling or commercial or industrial establishment with flows equal to 400 gallons per day. These flow figures are not intended to be used for the calculation of flows for the design of community sewage systems or for the allocation of flows related to community sewage systems. Community sewage system flows for design and permitting purposes shall be calculated using the procedures established in the Department’s Domestic Wastewater Facilities Manual.
HOLDING TANK
A watertight receptacle, whether permanent or temporary, which receives and retains sewage conveyed by a water-carrying system and is designed and constructed to facilitates the ultimate disposal of the sewage at another site.
[Added 5-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
IMPROVED PROPERTY
Any property within the Township upon which there is erected a structure intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals and from which structure sewage shall or may be discharged.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A land development as defined in Chapter 178, Subdivision and Land Development, as the same is amended from time to time.
LOT
A parcel of land held in single and separate ownership.
MUNICIPALITY
Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
OFFICIAL PLAN
A comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage disposal systems adopted by the Township and approved by the Department in accordance with the Act and with applicable Department regulations.
OWNER
Any person having a vested legal or equitable interest in land within the Township.
PERSON
The term includes an individual; association; public or private corporation for-profit or not-for-profit; partnership; firm; trust; estate; department; board; bureau or agency of the United States or the commonwealth; political subdivision; municipality; district; authority; or other legal entity which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. The term includes the members of an association, partnership or firm and the officers of a local agency or municipal, public or private corporation for-profit or not-for-profit.
PLANNING MODULE FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT
A revision to, or exception to the revision of, the Township Official Plan submitted in connection with the request for approval of a subdivision or land development in accordance with Department regulations.
REPLACEMENT LOCATION
A location designated as the future location of an on-lot sewage system that shall be installed should the initial on-lot system installed or to be installed fail or otherwise become inoperable and which shall be in accordance with all applicable Township ordinances for an on-lot system, and shall be protected from encroachment by a note on the final plan recorded in the office of the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds.
SEPTAGE PUMPER/HAULER
An individual, partnership or corporation both licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to pump and haul septage pursuant to the requirements of the Solid Waste Management Act, 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq. and promulgated regulations thereunder and registered with the Township.
[Added 4-15-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04]
SEWAGE
A substance that contains the waste products or excrement or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals; a substance harmful to the public health, to animal or aquatic life or to the use of water for domestic water supply or for recreation; or a substance which constitutes pollution under the Clean Streams Law.[1]
SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
An official of the local agency who reviews permit applications and sewage facilities planning modules, issues permits as authorized by the Act and conducts the investigations and inspections that are necessary to implement the Act and regulations thereunder.
SEWAGE FACILITIES
A system of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal which will prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage or other waste into waters of this commonwealth or otherwise provide for the safe and sanitary treatment and disposal of sewage or other waste. The term includes:
(1) 
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into waters of this commonwealth or by means of conveyance to another site for final disposal.
[Amended 5-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
(a) 
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a system of piping, tanks or other facilities for collecting, treating or disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or spray field or by retention in a holding tank.
(b) 
INDIVIDUAL SEWERAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area, or retention in a holding tank.
(2) 
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEMA sewage facility, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage from two or more lots, or two or more equivalent dwelling units and the treatment or disposal, or both, of the sewage on one or more of the lots or at another site.
(a) 
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMA community sewage system which uses a system of piping, tanks or other facilities for collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or retaining tank.
(b) 
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEMA publicly or privately owned community sewage system which uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area or retention in a retaining tank.
SINGLE AND SEPARATE OWNERSHIP
The ownership of a lot by one or more persons in which such ownership is separate and distinct from that of any abutting or adjoining lot.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
SUBDIVISION
A subdivision as defined in Chapter 178, Subdivision and Land Development, as amended from time to time.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Dickinson, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
[1]
Editor’s Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
C. 
Reference source. All other definitions of words and terms used in this article shall have the same meaning as set forth in Chapter 73, Standards for Sewage Disposal Facilities, of Title 25, Rules and Regulations, Department of Environmental Protection.
A. 
General. The owner of any land, building or structure within the Township serviced, or to be serviced, by a sewage facility shall be subject to all of the provisions of this article, except as specifically exempted herein.
B. 
Permits required. A permit shall be obtained from the Sewage Enforcement Officer in accordance with the Act, regulations of the Department, this article, and any other applicable authority prior to the installation or repair of any sewage facility.
A. 
General. After the effective date of this article, no requests for approvals of planning modules for land development and no revision, exceptions to revision, or supplements to the Official Plan shall be granted by the Board unless the applicant presents evidence satisfactory to the Board that each lot to be created contains a suitable location for the installation of an initial sewage facility and replacement location, if applicable.
B. 
Exception. Land which is to be served by a community sewage system is exempt, providing that the owner and the Department have executed a capacity agreement for such system. Any division or development of land not constituting subdivision or land development, and which does not increase the EDU demand on an existing sewage facility, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
C. 
Procedure. The Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) shall perform or observe all tests required by this article for the location of a sewage system, and confirm the suitability of the location. The applicant shall provide a plot plan which identifies the location of the deep probe, the percolation holes, and the type of, and area for, the wastewater disposal system approved by the SEO.
A. 
General. After the effective date of this article, a replacement location for an on-lot sewage system shall be required for all newly created lots which are not serviced or to be serviced by a community sewage system, where such newly created lot has a marginal soils structure or other limitation to effective on-lot effluent treatment.
[Amended 4-15-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04]
B. 
Identification. The location of the initial on-lot sewage system and the replacement location shall be identified on the final plan.
C. 
Notation required. A note shall be added to the final plan stating that no improvements shall be constructed upon the replacement location.
D. 
Waiver. Upon application, and upon a showing that none of the conditions exists for which replacement locations are required under then current regulations of the Department, the Board may waive the requirements of this section.
A. 
Applicability. When it is impossible for an owner to provide a sewage facility, the Township will consider a request for the installation of an alternate private sewage facility. No such facility shall be approved unless it complies with all applicable federal and state statutes, Township ordinances, all and any regulations promulgated by any governmental agency having jurisdiction.
B. 
Procedure. In the event any alternate private sewage facility is proposed to serve more than one owner, the applicant for such facility shall provide an agreement and financial security for the governance and maintenance of such facility. The agreement and financial security shall be subject to the approval of the Township Solicitor, and the amount of the financial security shall be determined by the Township Engineer. The applicant shall further comply with all applicable regulations set forth in Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.
A. 
General.
(1) 
Commencing on the effective date of this article, all sewage facilities and alternate systems shall be accessible at reasonable times for complete inspection by the Township or its authorized agent. Every owner of an individual sewage system shall have septage or other solids removed from the treatment tank at least once every three years unless an inspection program reveals that the treatment tank is filled, in a longer time interval, with solids in excess of 1/3 of the liquid depth of the tank or with scum in excess of 1/3 of the liquid depth of the tank. In either of the latter events, the longer time interval shall control. At the time of required pumping, periodic inspection shall be performed to determine whether or not any system is operating properly. Inspections shall include the inspection of the septic tank, aerobic tanks, disposal field, distribution box and any other components of the system.
(2) 
As of January 1, 2013, for all septic systems subject to Chapter 159, the three-year cycle provided for in this section shall be based on a calendar year, and the three-year cycle shall be determined for each individual septic system from the date of either the removal of septage or other solids or inspection that revealed that the treatment tank is filled, in a longer time interval, whichever event occurred immediately prior to April 15, 2013.
[Added 4-15-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04]
(3) 
Commencing on the effective date of this subsection, holding tanks shall be a permitted individual on-lot sewage system within the Township, subject to all Department rules and regulations regarding availability, installation, use, operation, maintenance, and removal, including the provisions contained in this Chapter 159. All holding tanks shall be accessible at reasonable times for complete inspection by the Township or its authorized agent. Every owner of a holding tank shall enter into a contract with a septage pumper/hauler as provided in § 159-12 of this Chapter 159, such contract providing for periodic pumping as required by the Township's Sewage Enforcement Officer as determined by the circumstances of the holding tank, including size, property and use being served. Such periodic pumping schedule shall be subject to change if an inspection program reveals that the holding tank requires more or less, as applicable, frequent pumping. Annual inspections shall be performed to determine whether or not any holding tank is operating properly. Inspections shall include the inspection of the holding tank and any other components of the system. All holding tanks shall be equipped with a warning device to indicate when the tank is filled to 75% of its capacity. Upon a holding tank reaching 75% of its capacity, the warning device shall be designed to create both an audible and visual signal at a location frequented by the homeowner or responsible individual.
[Added 5-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
B. 
Frequency. The Township may increase the frequency of inspection:
(1) 
If the system is presently malfunctioning;
(2) 
If a regular inspection reveals a malfunctioning system;
(3) 
If the system has malfunctioned in the past;
(4) 
If frequent tank pumpout is required;
(5) 
If the nature of use will significantly increase the load on the system periodically;
(6) 
If the number of people using the system increases; or
(7) 
For any other reason deemed necessary by the Township.
C. 
Malfunction defined. The sewage facilities or alternative system is malfunctioning when it causes pollution to the ground or surface waters, contamination of private or public drinking water supplies, nuisance problems, or a hazard to public health. Indications of malfunctioning systems are evident when, but are not limited to, foul odors, lush grass growing over the system, backup of wastewater in the attached buildings, soggy ground over the system, surfacing sewage effluent flowing over the ground and occurring at any time of the year.
D. 
Maintenance. The Board, or its designated agent, may require any owner to provide other periodic maintenance which may include, but is not limited to, surface contouring to divert stormwater and specific maintenance of system components inclusive of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, chemical system features, collection and conveyance piping, pressure lines and manholes, alarm and flow recorder devices, pumps, disinfection equipment and related safety items. Every owner shall protect the absorption area from physical damage. Holding tanks shall be maintained in accordance with all applicable regulations of the Department.
E. 
Compliance. If the owner fails to promptly comply with the order of the Township, or its authorized agent, and should such failure result in a public nuisance, the Board shall have the right to abate such nuisance under the authority of the Second Class Township Code and to assess the cost of abatement as a lien against the property.
[Amended 4-15-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04]
A. 
Proof of pumping and/or inspection. Within 30 days of the date of pumping and/or inspection of the individual sewage system, the owner shall provide proof of pumping and/or inspection of the system to the Township. At a minimum, such proof shall contain the following information:
[Amended 5-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
(1) 
Date of pumping;
(2) 
Name and address of system owner;
(3) 
Address of tank location if different than owner’s;
(4) 
Description and diagram of location of tank including location of any markers, risers, and access hatches;
(5) 
Size of tank;
(6) 
Age of the system (where applicable);
(7) 
Last date of pumpout;
(8) 
List of any maintenance performed;
(9) 
Any indication of system malfunctioning observed;
(10) 
Amount of sewage or other solid or semisolid material removed; and
(11) 
Waste hauler’s state license number permitting him to collect and haul sewage in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B. 
Owner certification. In addition to the provision of the proof of pumping and/or inspection required by § 159-8A, the owner shall concurrently provide to the Township a certification, on the form then in use by the Township, that, to the best of the owner's knowledge, the sewage contains none of the prohibited substances specified in § 159-9B.
A. 
General. The Township shall make available to all existing and new residents a copy of an abstract of the pertinent information and regulations as outlined by this article. Appropriate literature and publications discussing the care and maintenance of septic tanks, waterless toilets and other subsurface waste disposal systems shall be made available to those residents who utilize such systems to the knowledge of the Township. Residents shall be encouraged to minimize water use and to install water saving devices in order to increase the efficiency and promote the long life of on-lot disposal system; water conservation measures shall be implemented as directed by the Township or its Sewage Enforcement Officer. The following criteria shall be considered as the maximum allowable water usage limits where a home is to be considered as utilizing water conservation practices:
(1) 
Flow control faucet aerators (two gallons per minute).
(2) 
Low flush toilets (1.5 gallons per flush).
(3) 
Flow limiting shower heads (2.5 gallons per minute).
B. 
Permitted and prohibited discharges. No owner shall permit a flow in excess of the designed capacity to discharge into a sewage facility. No owner shall permit hazardous substances or chemicals including, but not limited to, pesticides, disinfectants, acids, paint, paint thinners, herbicides, or solvents, to be discharged into any system.
A. 
General. Except as provided in Subsection B herein, upon presentation of proper identification, Township employees, agents or officials shall be admitted to any property for the purpose of inspection, observation, sampling, maintenance or rehabilitation of sewage facilities and alternative systems, provided however, that 72 hours’ prior written notice by certified mail shall have been given to the owner.
B. 
Emergency procedures. When, in the opinion of an authorized Township employee, agent or official, there is imminent danger of a threat to the public health, such person is authorized to order the owner not to permit further discharge into a sewage facility until the threat has been removed. In the event of such emergency, no prior written notice shall be required.
C. 
Denial of entry. If entry is refused or not obtained, the code official is authorized to pursue recourse as provided by law.
D. 
Remedial measures. The Township may require the correction or alteration of a system in the event that the inspection reveals a malfunction or inadequacy. The SEO shall provide a written notification requiring specific remedial action to be completed within a reasonable period of time as is deemed necessary according to the severity of the malfunction or inadequacy.
A. 
General. The Board shall appoint, by resolution, such persons as it deems necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this article. Such persons, as appointed, shall be deemed to be the “authorized agents” of the Township as that term is defined in this article. The procedure for initial and continuing implementation of this article shall be adopted by resolutions of the Board from time to time.
B. 
The fees to be charged for the administration of this article shall be the fees then in effect as adopted by resolution, from time to time, by the Board.
[Amended 6-21-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-3; 5-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
Every septage pumper/hauler shall be licensed by the Department, registered with the Township, and shall, at all times, comply with the requirements of the Solid Waste Management Act, 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq. No septage pumper/hauler shall disperse any liquid or solid septage or sewage into or upon the air, land or waters of the Township without first having provided written notice of such intention to the Township at least 14 days prior to the proposed dispersal, which notice shall include copies of written approvals from the Department and all other governing authorities for such activity and the terms and conditions imposed by the Department and other governing authorities.
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, maintain, repair, alter, fail to maintain, extend or use any sewage facility or alternate sewage facility in violation of any of the provisions of this article, or to fail to obey a lawful order of the Township or its authorized agent.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.
In case of any unlawful acts, the Township’s authorized agent shall institute an appropriate action or proceeding at law to exact the penalty provided in § 159-14. In addition, the authorized agent shall ask the Township Solicitor to proceed at law or in equity against the person or persons responsible for the violation for the purpose of ordering that person:
A. 
To restrain, correct or remove the violation or refrain from any further use of the sewage facility;
B. 
To restrain or correct the construction, installation, maintenance, repair or alteration of a sewage facility or alternate sewage facility;
C. 
To require the removal of work in violation;
D. 
To prevent the occupancy or use of any structure that is serviced by a sewage facility which is not in compliance with the provisions of this article; or
E. 
To institute proceedings to abate a public nuisance under any lawful authority providing for the abatement of such nuisances and to assess the cost and related expenses of such abatement as a lien against the premises.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding pending in any court, or any rights acquired or liability incurred, or any permit issued, or any cause or causes of action existing prior to the enactment of this article. To the extent that the regulations adopted herein are inconsistent with other applicable laws, and applicable rules and regulations of administrative agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the regulations adopted herein shall be subject to said state laws, rules and regulations, only to the extent of the inconsistency. Where the provisions of this article are less permissive than said state laws, rules and regulations, the provisions of this article shall apply.